RED SPIDER PEST.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 125, 25 March 1926, Page 1

RED SPIDER PEST.

METHODS OF CONTROL. In a pamphlet issued recently by the Victorian Government Entomologist, Mr. C. French, the methods of destroying red spiders in gardens are indicated. The destructive forms of life, he says, belong to the group of aearids or mites, and are, therefore, strictly speaking, not insects. The eggs, which arc almost transparent, remain in the soil and in the crevices of stakes, plnnts, and other objects during the winter. The red spider is just visible to the naked eye, and is almost transparent; in color it varies from light reddish to quite red. Generally, it feeds on the underside of the leaves of various vegetable plants, particularly beans, melons of various kinds, and makes a web underneath the leaves. Vegetables should be well watered <n warm weather, as when the ground is allowed to get. iffy" the plants are attacked by the red spider. Spraying with deterrents such as quassia chips or a weak kerosene emulsion is B recom. mended. Coal-tar water nnd benzole emulsion may also be used. A remedy that lias proved of great use in England is paraffin jelly, the formula for which Professor E. V. Theobald gives as follows; paraffin, 5 gallons; soft soap, 81b.; boil these together, and when boiling add about l.pint of water, and stir well. This becomes e jelly mbl. er<! "’•'"w 1 O'* -h"”'M m'—d vv : +h 40 gallons of water. The above amounts to 160 gallons of wash. Tobacco sprayt,,

nicotine sulphate, or black leaf 40, are also very reliable. It is not advisable to apply any spray wash within three days of the previous one. Care should also be taken that the nozzle of the spray pump is directed upward so ns to roach t.lie underside of the leaves. All stakes, after having been used, should be treated with boding water before being used again. Bv this means the eggs of the spider wiil be destroyed.